The peak financial technology (fintech) industry bodies in Indonesia and Australia have signed a landmark agreement to help drive exchanges of talent and expertise between the two growing fintech markets.

Signed on 1 December, the memorandum of understanding between FinTech Australia and FinTech Indonesia is regarded as an important step to drive the mutual development and growth of fintech industries across both jurisdictions.

A proposed new regulatory pathway to allow the creation of Australian challenger banks is a welcome move but does require some improvements, according to the peak body for the nation’s fintech industry.

FinTech Australia has lodged a submission with the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) in response to its discussion paper, entitled “A phased approach to authorising new entrants to the banking industry”.

We have an opportunity for a fintech community leader to sponsor our end-of-year infographic and opinion piece, which will outline the industry’s achievements during the second half of 2017 and predictions for 2018.

When it comes to blockchain and distributed ledger technology, Australia is going beyond the hype and instead developing real solutions and governance for this technology. The ASX announcement is further evidence of this.

A successful AUD$67 million capital raise by US-based consumer finance marketplace Credible on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) illustrates the strong and growing appetite for exposure to fintech by Australian investors.

Credible was founded as a student loan refinancing marketplace in San Francisco in 2012 by Australian-born entrepreneur Stephen Dash.

Australia is set to further grow its world-leading blockchain and digital currency industry following the Australian Parliament’s approval of anti-money laundering legislation last night, according to Australian fintech leaders.

This innovative programme brings together 4 highly respected Fintech lecturers from four major international universities, which include: The University of Hong Kong, Singapore Management University, Oxford University and Imperial College London.